NIHR Newcastle BRC PhD Student
Manisha Chahal is a second-year PhD student in the Jardine/Haniffa lab at Newcastle University, under the supervision of Dr. Laura Jardine. Her research focuses on skin-infiltrating leukaemia, specifically the role of re-activated developmental programs in supporting leukaemic infiltration. Leukaemia cutis (LC), the infiltration of leukaemic cells into the skin, is commonly observed in myeloid leukaemias and is associated with poorer prognosis. Despite its clinical relevance, the mechanisms driving leukaemic cell accumulation in the skin remain poorly understood. Her interest in cancer research and early diagnosis began during my undergraduate studies in Biomedical Sciences, where her final-year research project explored the misdiagnosis of pancreatic cancer and type 2 diabetes. This sparked her growing passion for the field. After graduating, Manisha joined the medical devices industry, focusing on developing reagents and equipment for early cancer diagnosis. She began as a central testing scientist before transitioning into regulatory affairs, where she developed a broad skill set in the medical field. She decided to return to academia and pursue a PhD, seeking a project that aligned with her passion and would allow her to grow both personally and professionally. Her current research investigates how fetal skin supports haematopoietic development across different gestational stages and its role in leukaemic infiltration.
Her project aims to:Investigate the role of fetal skin in supporting haematopoietic development across various gestational stages using single-cell and spatial transcriptomic datasets.Characterise the leukaemic niche in the skin by profiling cellular and molecular interactions in leukaemia cutis samples compared to healthy adult and fetal skin.Identify and validate potential therapeutic targets through drug target exploration and immunofluorescence microscopy.
Outside of her research, Manisha is actively involved in outreach and mentoring. She has helped facilitate a STEM school outreach program for primary school children and mentored two work experience students in their lab. Additionally, she run a Bhangra dance society, which allows her to stay connected with her cultural roots. Throughout her PhD, Manisha has developed a wide range of skills, including bioinformatics—a field she never anticipated mastering. She has gained valuable experience in presenting, collaborating with other researchers, and enhancing her laboratory skills specific to her project’s niche. These experiences have greatly enriched her academic and personal growth.
PhD Project
Does re-activation of developmental programmes support skin infiltration in leukaemia?
Conferences
Publications
Talks, B. J. et al. Mapping human immunity and the education of Waldeyer’s ring. Annu. Rev. Genomics Hum. Genet. 25, 161–182 (2024)